Minimum hamster cage size

Here in North America, most hamsters are kept in cages much too small.

Caring for a pet hamster includes providing a cage with bedding, food, and water. You want to provide a big enough cage so your hamster can get enough exercise every day and has access to plenty of mentally stimulating toys. For Syrian hamsters, the minimum amount of floor space needed per hamster is square inches, or 40 x The height should be 24 inches to allow for several inches of bedding. Chinese and dwarf hamsters need a minimum of square inches of floor space. This equates to about 40 x A cage height of at least 24 inches with inches of bedding is optimal.

Minimum hamster cage size

Even though hamsters are very small they actually require a lot of space, it is not uncommon for hamsters in the wild to run 9km in one night. It is the minimum cage size for ALL species of hamsters including Dwarf. Please note this is a minimum of unbroken floor space not levels , the more space the better. Pet shops usually always sell cages which are far too small, this is because they are often cheaper for customers to buy and they save on shop floor space. If you buy a cage which is too small, your hamster will sadly live a miserable life. Blue Cross say a cage should be no smaller than cm x 50cm x 50cm for ALL species of hamsters. Woodgreen recommend a minimum cage size of cm x 50cm x 50cm for ALL species of hamsters. Switzerland legal minimum is cm 2 they advise the cage length should be cm — cm. This equates to cm x 50cm. Dwarf hamsters get a particularly bad deal by the pet shops. Just like a taller human has the same perception of space as a shorter person.

Not enough floorspace and wheel is too small. Ferplast Maxi Duna 99 x 54cm cm2.

Hamsters and other small rodents need plenty of space to move about as they are highly active at night. Unfortunately, they no longer advocate a minimum cage size, but they do state any pet should be able to exhibit all normal behaviours, which for hamsters includes running, exploring, climbing, and burrowing. We make 4 standard sizes of Pet Home for small pets — all of which will be suitable for your hamster, mice or gerbils depending on how much space you want to provide. Our smallest size is 90 x 60cm see first pic above. To view our range of Hamster Cages, just click on the button below. Syrian hamsters must be housed individually, but dwarf hamsters, mice and gerbils are more social creatures, and can be housed in pairs or groups. When housing two or more dwarf hamsters together, choose a cage without any platform levels or compartments, as this can lead to territorial behaviour and fighting.

In fact, some animal welfare groups refuse to give a minimum, as really it should be about providing as much space as possible — not providing the minimum. You will also need to consider other things, such as the size of the bars, or any potential escape routes, too. And, of course, hamsters are far less likely to be given free roam of larger areas of your home. As large a cage as you can afford, accommodate and practically look after is always a good idea. Also make sure you think about other stimulation in the cage, such as wheels, toys and things for them to chew. There are a number of key criteria you should consider when trying to choose the best hamster cage. Roughly speaking, these are:. Hamster cages can be affordable, or they can be extravagant and expensive. There are three general styles of hamster cage — wire cages with a plastic base, an all-plastic modular construction, and aquarium-style cages.

Minimum hamster cage size

Even though hamsters are very small they actually require a lot of space, it is not uncommon for hamsters in the wild to run 9km in one night. It is the minimum cage size for ALL species of hamsters including Dwarf. Please note this is a minimum of unbroken floor space not levels , the more space the better. Pet shops usually always sell cages which are far too small, this is because they are often cheaper for customers to buy and they save on shop floor space.

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Choose a wheel that's 8 to 12 inches in diameter for your Syrian hamster, as the 6-inch wheels intended for mice or dwarf hamsters are not large enough. It is recommended to choose a wire-top cage that has at least square inches 5, square centimeters of unbroken floor space and a plastic base with a height of at least 8 inches 20 centimeters. Measure content performance. Your hamster's cage needs to be cleaned regularly. Tubes and tunnels replicate the natural burrows which hamsters live in and are enjoyed by hamsters. Subscribe to Our Newsletter Sign up for weekly pet health tips and insights from our veterinarians. Hamsters can fit through surprisingly small spaces. Sign up for weekly pet health tips and insights from our veterinarians. Grosvenor XL x 54cm cm2. They also lack adequate floor space for running around, and the running wheel is too small for bigger hamster species such as the Syrian hamster, which could contribute to back injuries. Blog About Contact. It is best to use play sand or reptile sand with no added dyes or calcium. A hamster could start to burrow in at least 6 inches of bedding but a section of 10 inches 25cm is much more suitable as the hamster can make a deeper burrow like they would have done in the wild, it is also a way to make them feel safe and warm in their environment. Scroll down to view some options. Here in North America, most hamsters are kept in cages much too small.

Do you want your hamster to be happy?

We found our Syrian hamster last February 12th, thrown out by the side of the road like trash. Marrakesh Terrarium 96 x 47cm. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Your hamster can then be placed in the enclosure and the lid secured to complete your DIY hamster cage. Also, you will probably see your hamster Bar biting in an attempt to break free for a better life. Also, when choosing a plastic cage, make sure there are no exposed edges or ridges of plastic where a hamster can start chewing the cage, or your hamster is likely to escape at some point. Be sure that the top of any cage has a tightly fitted lid that your hamster can't slide underneath, push up, or squeeze through. The popular Crittertrail cages are not recommended for hamsters because they are too small. TVT research shows that Dwarf hamsters require the same size enclosure as a Syrian hamster. Unless you plan on breeding hamsters, your pet will be happiest in a cage by itself. She is a sweet pet. We set it up and I gritted my teeth to catch Beast, knowing I was going to be bitten. Retrieved 30 November Hence, Beast, became her name. Your Syrian hamster may take a little while to get used to you and be tame.